by Mr Gaurav Batra Founder & CEO Infinite Group
New Zealand’s education sector is rapidly reclaiming its place as one of the top-tier destinations for international students. With a 24% year-on-year enrollment increase, the country’s education sector is reflecting a strong recovery. In the year 2024, about 73,535 foreign students were admitted to the nation’s universities. The enrollment received in just two terms of 2024 was 6% higher than the total enrollment reported in 2023.
Universities and Schools Fueling the Growth
Hundreds of international students come to New Zealand due to it being home to prestigious and top-ranking universities like the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and the University of Waikato. The reputation of its institutes has been a major factor driving the country’s education industry’s speedy recovery. The bounce back has continued since 2023, when 69,000 foreign students flocked to the country to pursue education. This was a 67% increase compared to the previous year. This upward trend continued in 2024, fueled by the growth of schools and colleges. Higher education institutes saw a 14% increase in international student admissions, with over 31,000 enrollments. In terms of admission growth, schools outperformed colleges. Enrollment in primary schools increased by 69%, while funded private training facilities witnessed an 80% spike in 2024.
Diversity in International Source Market
The country’s source market has diversified, with an increasing number of students coming from the US, Thailand, Germany, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. The cumulative ratio of international students coming to New Zealand from these countries has risen to 3%. However, a large portion of overseas students still come from the two most populous countries, China, followed by India. Both countries contribute nearly 52% to New Zealand’s international student inventory, with 35% coming from China and 17% from India. Japan is the third largest contributor with a 10% share, followed by South Korea and Thailand with 5% and 4%, respectively.
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Local Support Making Students Feel Welcomed
Local support for internationalisation of education has emerged as the key differentiator, setting New Zealand apart from other countries. The annual 2024 survey conducted by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) revealed that about 41% of New Zealanders who participated in the survey said that they would like to see more foreign students in the country. Nearly 72% believe that the arrival of international students benefits the country, which is well reflected in the regional gains. Compared to 2023, Gisborne, a city on the north island, recorded a massive growth of 126% in 2024. Similarly, Marlborough reported 45% growth, and Hawke’s Bay and Waikato have grown by 45% and 26%, respectively. This positive outlook of the local population towards the students coming from outside makes them feel welcomed.
Conclusion
With robust growth across regions, diversified source markets, and strong local support, New Zealand’s international education sector is poised for an even brighter future. These factors have been driving the growth of every funded part of the country’s education system, which is now just 7% behind the pre-pandemic level. As its universities and other educational institutions continue to innovate in line with global trends, New Zealand will further solidify its reputation as the premier education destination for international students worldwide.
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